Pitru Paksha 2024: Pitru Paksha is an important celebration for Hindus to honor and pay tribute to their ancestors. It is considered a very sacred time in the Hindu calendar and begins with the Pratipada Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Bhadrapada month.
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Pitru Paksha is also known as the Shradh period and is celebrated for 16 days from the starting date. It begins on the Purnima Tithi (Full Moon) and ends on the Amavasya Tithi (New Moon).
Let’s get into a more detailed view of the timings, rituals, how to celebrate, and more about Pitru Paksha.
Pitru Paksha Date and Timings
This year, Pitru Paksha has already begun on Tuesday, September 17, and will continue till Wednesday, October 2. Pitru Paksha began on Purnima Shraddha and will conclude on Sarva Pitru Amavasya.
Pitru Paksha 2024: Important Dates
- September 17: Tuesday: Purnima Shraddha
- September 18: Wednesday: Pratipada Shraddha
- September 19: Thursday: Dwitiya Shraddha
- September 20: Friday: Tritiya Shraddha
- September 21: Saturday: Chaturthi Shraddha
- September 21: Saturday: Maha Bharani
- September 22: Sunday: Panchami Shraddha
- September 23: Monday: Shashthi Shraddha
- September 23: Monday: Saptami Shraddha
- September 24: Tuesday: Ashtami Shraddha
- September 25: Wednesday: Navami Shraddha
- September 26: Thursday: Dashami Shraddha
- September 27: Friday: Ekadashi Shraddha
- September 29: Sunday: Dwadashi Shraddha
- September 29: Sunday: Magha Shraddha
- September 30: Monday: Trayodashi Shraddha
- October 1: Tuesday: Chaturdashi Shraddha
- October 2: Wednesday: Sarva Pitru Amavasya
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Pitru Paksha 2024: History
As per the legends and scriptures of Garuda Purana and the Agni Purana, after one’s death, their soul goes through suffering in the afterlife. To provide peace and relief to these souls Shraddha rituals is performed. Hindu mythology says that the departed souls stay in the Pitru Lok which is a realm between Heaven and Earth and is overseen by the god of Death ‘Yama’.
Pitru Paksha Significance
Pitru Paksha holds spiritual significance for Hindus and is believed that during this period the soul of descendants comes back to earth and by performing these rituals these souls receive peace and help them to leave earth peacefully.
Shraddha is the primary ritual and is performed with a lot of dedication and respect to seek their blessings and give them a proper farewell.
Pitru Paksha 2024: Rituals
- The ritual should begin with the eldest son of the family after taking a holy bath and staying clean.
- Devotees who will sit for the prayers should wear clean and appropriate clothes.
- It is advised to place a picture of ancestors on a wooden table facing south.
- Offer Pind Daan for the ritual which should include ingredients such as ghee, honey, rice, and barley.
- To perform the tarpan ritual, water should be mixed with flour, barley, kush, and black sesame and should be offered to the ancestors.
- The Pind and tarpan should be offered to the needy ones.
- Throughout the 16 days period, deveotees should stay in a peaceful state of mind and dedicated to prayers.
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